Morocco halts sand extraction near Algerian border amid escalating tensions

Monday 20 January 2025 - 10:45

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco halts sand extraction near Algerian border amid escalating tensions

Morocco’s Ministry of Interior has suspended sand extraction operations in the “Zone Zero” region along its northeastern border with Algeria, citing concerns that the activities have disrupted natural border markers. The decision, reported by local media, underscores the ongoing sensitivity of the area, particularly in the contested zone of El Arja.

The suspension affects El Arja, a region within the Oulad Slimane area that has been a focal point of recurring disputes between Morocco and Algeria. Tensions in the area flared in March 2021 when Algerian forces intervened to expel Moroccan farmers, claiming the territory as their own. Moroccan farmers, however, protested the move, asserting their ancestral ties to the land, which they have cultivated for generations.

The conflict over El Arja is emblematic of the broader historical rivalry between Morocco and Algeria, rooted in territorial disputes that date back to the Sand War of 1963. Although a ceasefire was brokered in February 1964, the establishment of a demilitarized zone between the two nations has done little to fully resolve the underlying tensions.

Moroccan authorities are now seeking a resolution that adheres to legal frameworks while addressing the concerns of local communities caught in the geopolitical crossfire. The suspension of sand extraction activities is seen as a step toward de-escalation, though it also highlights the economic and political challenges faced by residents in the region.

The ongoing dispute has left local populations grappling with economic uncertainty and political instability, further complicated by what Morocco views as persistent provocations from Algeria. As both nations navigate this delicate situation, the fate of El Arja remains a symbol of the unresolved issues that continue to strain bilateral relations.